Eagles Announce 2022 Roster

We finally know the Eagles roster. For now. Anyone who follows the NFL closely knows that the roster will change plenty of times during the upcoming season. Football is a game of attrition and that means lots of changes.

Let’s talk about the guys who made the initial roster.

QB – 2 – Hurts, Minshew
RB – 3 – Sanders, Gainwell, Scott
WR – 5 – Brown, Smith, Watkins, Pascal, Reagor
TE – 3 – Goedert, Stoll, Calcaterra
OL – 10 – Mailata, Dickerson, Kelce, Seumalo, Johnson, Dillard, Jurgens, Opeta, Driscoll, Sills
*23*

DE – 4 – Sweat, Graham, Barnett, Jackson
DT – 5 – Cox, Hargrave, Davis, Williams, Tuipulotu
SAM – 3 – Reddick, P Johnson, K Johnson
LB – 5 – White, Edwards, Dean, Taylor, Bradley
SAF – 4 – Gardner-Johnson, Epps, Wallace, Blankenship
CB – 6 – Slay, Bradberry, Maddox, Jobe, McPhearson, Scott
*27*

ST – 3 – Lovato, Elliott, Siposs

The big news of the day is the trade for Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1564638932893057026

The addition of CGJ gives the Eagles a stud DB. One of the questions is about how the Eagles will use him.

Chauncey Gardner-Johnson’s career snap counts playing safety, per @PFF

2019: 69
2020: 2
2021: 9

Bulk of his playing time has been at slot CB. #Eagles

— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) August 30, 2022

CGJ has primarily played the slot for New Orleans. The Eagles are going to use him at safety. In Gannon’s scheme, there is need for safeties to be versatile. They must be able to play in the slot, for those times when they’re adjusting to shifts/motions by the offense.

Rather than talk about CGJ too much, let’s look at some of the bubble players.

IN

Josh Sills played LG and LT this summer. I thought he showed good potential, but I thought the coaches would prefer Anderson or Awosika for their experience. Instead they went with Sills. He is a more natural tackle than Awosika and I think Anderson was hurt by the presence of Cam Jurgens. That made Sills the better option. I was disappointed that Anderson and Awosika didn’t take more of a step forward this summer. There didn’t seem to be a lot of growth from last year.

This nasty streak sure didn’t hurt Sills chances.

FULL SLAB https://t.co/tii3wp75En pic.twitter.com/jimmDKdntJ

— Duke Manyweather (@BigDuke50) August 29, 2022

OL guys on Twitter use “slab” to refer to when O-linemen hit DL in the ribs. Full slab is a big hit, half slab is a solid hit.

***

Reed Blankenship earned his roster spot by playing well in Training Camp and then even better in the preseason games. He can play in the box or as the deep safety. I don’t think he’s as natural in the slot. Blankenship is a good hitter and tackler. He reads plays well and has an excellent burst to the ball. Blankenship led the team in tackles in the preseason.

https://twitter.com/DiBirdsBlog/status/1563917729681350659

***

CB Josh Jobe earned his spot on the roster with a strong showing this summer. I thought he looked good in coverage, whether pressing or playing off. I liked his burst to the ball, which is crucial in this scheme. I was impressed by his tackling and physicality. I also liked his motor. Some DBs watch when the ball goes away from them. Jobe took off running to get in on the tackle. He has good size and could develop into a solid CB.

***

I know plenty of people are ready for the Jalen Reagor era to be over. He had the best camp of his young career and showed real progress from last year. I have no problem with him making the roster. Reagor is the #5 WR right now and will likely be the punt returner. I know he’s been a disappointing pick, but you have to move beyond that and ask if he can help this team. I think he can.

There is still the possibility he is traded, but I don’t think that is likely.

***

Some might wonder why Kyron Johnson made it. He didn’t so anything notable in camp or the preseason and the team is already two-deep at SAM. Kyron was disruptive in the last two preseason games and showed potential. I think that was enough to earn a spot. You saw flashes of his athleticism and explosiveness.

***

I know some people had Davion Taylor as a potential cut. The coaches like his athleticism and potential. Taylor played well in the preseason opener. He struggled the next two weeks, but I’m guessing the coaches still think he’s a player worth working with.

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OUT

Britain Covey just didn’t do enough this summer. I wasn’t overly impressed by his route-running. He showed some elusivenss as a returner, but never flashed anything special.

***

Deon Cain is a pure receiver. He doesn’t have RS ability. Guys like that better be really good to win a spot. Cain did play well, but he wasn’t good enough to win a spot.

***

Marvin Wilson got caught in a numbers game. The Eagles couldn’t keep 6 DTs. Wilson had a good summer and is worth putting on the practice squad.

***

Noah Togiai lost out to 6th round pick Grant Calcaterra. Togiai had the better showing, but Calcaterra has more potential. Togiai can play on STs and he’s a better blocker. Calcaterra is the more gifted receiver. If anything happens to Dallas Goedert, the Eagles need someone like Calcaterra. Togiai should return to the practice squad.

*****

The Eagles will look around the league to see if there are any players they are interested in. That could be in the form of waiver claims and/or trades. Right now RB is the only spot that stands out to me. And that’s only if you think the team needs a bigger back. They have three quality RBs already.

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